It happened Sunday at about 5 p.m. on Southeast 14th Street. The thieves stole the massive industrial sized Toro lawn mower, then drove it about a mile away to the Harriet Street Boat Ramp where they dumped it near the river. Durveillance video shows the thieves first cased the property, driving around it several times in what appears to be a gold or silver Ford Taurus. The victims believe the thieves have experience working with a lawn care company, because operating a machine like this takes training.

“It’s about a 15-foot long machine, weighs 6,000 pounds, it turns from the back so you gotta kind of know where your swing is and make sure your wings are about 8-foot tall so if anything hits it,” explained Brandan Long, owner of Beautiful Lawns by Longs.

If you recognize the thieves or their car, please call Des Moines police.